Suburban festival guide

Check out these photos from summer festivals around the suburbs and Northwest Indiana.

Festival season is upon us in the Chicago suburbs. Find a celebration near you — or plan a weekend road trip — using our 2017 guide to summer fun.

SEPTEMBER

Sept. 22-24: Apple FestDowntown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Rd, Long Grove; admission is $5; free for kids under 12 and for everyone from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 22 and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 23-24. Enjoy apple popcorn, apple lattes and other treats at the 26th annual fest. The bash also features music on three stages and kids activities including an apple pie-eating contest.

Sept. 23-24: Art in the BarnGrounds of Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, 450 W. Highway 22, Barrington; admission is $5, free for children under age 12; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. This 43rd annual fest brings together 175 artists to raise money for the hospital. The event also features a children's art tent and petting zoo.

Sept. 23-24: Starving Artists Show431 Sheridan Road, Highwood; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Say goodbye to summer and get some great art at great prices. Up to 120 juried artists from around the world will sell off their extra art inventory.

And in case you missed out on some festivals this season, here's a recap so you can plan for next year:

May 19-21:Chocolate Fest 308 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is $5, children younger than 12 are free. Call 847-634-0888. Food vendors offer creations ranging from the unique hamburger with chocolate barbecue sauce and chocolate beer, to classics such as chocolate cake and fudge.

May 20-21: Skokie Festival of CulturesOakton Park, 4701 Oakton St., Skokie; for more information call 847-674-1500, ext. 2715. Hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; admission is free. Dozens of cultural booths over two days of ethnic folk music and dance, a wide range of food, unique arts and crafts and a merchandise marketplace. At least 36 cultures from around the world will be featured. The festival kicks off Friday with an International Short Film Festival.

May 26-29: Chicago Gaelic Park Irish Fest6119 W. 147th St., Oak Forest; May 26 open at 4:15, May 27 at 2:15 p.m. and at 1:15 p.m. May 28-29; $15 per person per day; four-day passes are available. Headliners this year include the Prodigals, the Fenians, Larry Nugent, Larkin & Moran Brothers, Makem and Spain Brothers and Socks in the Frying Pan. Other scheduled events include a red hair and freckle contest, Irish theater, Gaelic football match, a bonnie baby contest, Irish dog exposition, Connemara ponies and Sunday Mass. Unlimited carnival rides are included in the admission price.

May 27-28:Barrington Art FestivalCook and Station Streets, Barrington; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free admission. The annual fest showcases the work of more than 130 juried artists. The event also offers a graffiti wall, food vendors and live music.

May 27-28:Prairie Arts Festival Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center, 101 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; free admission. More than 120 painters, sculptors, photographers, jewelers and potters will sell their wares at the event, which also features three stages of entertainment, a food truck court and kids activities.

May 31-June 4: Orland Days 151st Street Metra Station, Orland Park; 5 p.m.-10 p.m. May 31-June 1; 5 p.m.-midnight June 2; noon-midnight June 3; noon-9 p.m. June 4. The Orland Park Lions Club hosts five days of live entertainment, including Infinity, Heartache Tonight, Blooze Brothers, the Wannabes, Big Dog Mercer, Four 'C' Notes and Matt, Zack & Tom. The parade steps off along West Avenue.

June 3: North Shore Pride FestEverts Park, 130 Highwood Ave., Highwood. The fifth annual North Shore Pride Fest includes a Pride Family Picnic from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., followed by a Taste the Rainbow Pub Crawl throughout participating downtown Highwood restaurants and bars from 5 p.m.-1 a.m.

June 3-4: Deerfield Festival of the ArtsPark Avenue across Deerfield Road from Whole Foods, 760 Waukegan Road, Deerfield; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The fest features more than 120 juried artists, live music, kid-friendly art activities and food. Admission and parking are free.

In Naperville, Fourth of July weekend means finger-licking fun. For 27 years, the Exchange Club of Naperville has invited rib masters from across the country to serve up their sweet and spicy wares with a side of family-friendly activities and musical luminaries, all in the name of eradicating child abuse and domestic violence.

June 3-4:Fine Arts FestivalGraue Mill and Museum, 3800 York Road, Oak Brook. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. More than 40 artists will sell a variety of art for the home and garden.

June 4:Mid American Canoe and Kayak RaceMcCullough Park, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora; 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Cost for race participants: $25 per paddler starting from Mount St. Mary Park in St. Charles, $20 per paddler starting from Batavia VFW. Free for spectators. For more information call 630-859-8606. The biggest paddling race in the Midwest has races starting at 9 a.m. from Mount St. Mary Park in St. Charles and at 10:30 a.m. at the Batavia VFW. Registration deadline is May 31. Boat rentals are available. The wrap-up event features food, music, prize drawings, vendor booths and the awards ceremony.

June 8-11: Festival of the FoxPottawatomie Park, 8 North Ave., St. Charles; hours vary by event; admission is free; for more information call 630-402-1919 or 630-802-8824. Dragon Boats: 630-474-1275. The fest begins at 7 p.m. June 8 with a concert by Gregory Hyde Band in Lincoln Park, 450 W. Main St. Special Needs Family Day will be held from 4-7 p.m. at Pottawatomie Park, followed by St. Charles Day/St. Charles in Bloom! Contest from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. June 10 at Baker Memorial Park, at Main Street and North 5th Avenue. Concluding the festival is two full days of dragon boat racing, a 2,500-year-old Chinese sport that involves 20 team members paddling in unison to a drummer's beat on a dragon boat. The races will be from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 10-11 in Pottawatomie Park.

June 10-11: Promenade of Art Vail and Campbell Streets, Arlington Heights; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; admission is free. Shop work from more than 110 artists and enjoy live music, a photo booth, art bingo, a graffiti wall and food and drinks.

June 15-18: Old Canal Days Downtown Lockport; 2 p.m.-midnight June 15; 4 p.m.-midnight June 16; 10 a.m.-midnight June 17; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 18; admission is free; call 815-407-1819, x201 for more information. The parade steps off at 6 p.m. June 16 along State Street. Live music and a carnival are also featured. The fest opens June 14 for people with disabilities and their immediate family members ride the carnival free from 2 to 5 p.m. Register in advance.

June 15-18:Libertyville Days FestivalDowntown Libertyville; 5-11 p.m. June 15, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. June 16 and 17; 1-6 p.m. June 18. Features live music, a beer garden, crafts, a carnival, food, a parade and more.

June 16-17: Blues on the FoxRiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora; Friday 7 p.m., Saturday 3 p.m. Admission $10 per day presale until May 31; $20 per day starting June 1. For more information call 630-896-6666.

June 16-17:Barrington Country Garden & Antique Faire Barrington High School, 616 W. Main St.; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Shop to raise money for the Hands of Hope Foundation at the 17th annual event. $45-$55; $80 tickets get you in at 8:30 a.m. Friday.

June 16-17: Scottish Festival & Highland GamesHamilton Lakes, 1 Pierce Road, Itasca; 1-10 p.m. June 16 and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. June 17. Cost varies; for more information call 708-447-5092. A children's area offers games and a chance to make Celtic crafts, and visitors can meet the dog breeds of Scotland. Families can learn about the various clans, research Scottish heritage and watch the "Parade of Tartans." Food vendors offer Scottish and American fare, and entertainment includes Celtic rock and local bands, piping and drumming and the Highland Dance competition. Other contests include haggis eating and haggis hurling, a men in kilts competition, a shortbread contest, rugby tournament along with a variety of heavy athletics that test strength and accuracy.

June 17-18: Custer Fair 600 Main St., Evanston; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. This two-day event showcases more than 300 local and regional artists, 30 food vendors and three entertainment stages.

June 20-25: Swedish Days Downtown Geneva at 3rd and State Streets; admission is free; for more information call 630-232-6060. Swedish Days, A Midsommar Festival, in its 68th year, offers a week full of family friendly activities in downtown Geneva. Along with free entertainment every day, special events include the annual parade, Kid's Day, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, a carnival, the 5K Lopp race, the Granquist Music Competition and Sweden Vast — an area of the festival dedicated to all things Swedish. Food booths offer a variety of items, some available only during the fest. In addition, many local merchants offer some of their best deals of the year.

June 22-25: Rotary Grove Fest Main and Curtiss Streets, downtown Downers Grove; 5:30-10 p.m. June 22, noon-1 p.m. June 23, noon-11 p.m. June 24 and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (Festival of Cars) and noon-10:30 p.m. June 25. Food and business expo, midway, carnival and performances by local and regional musical talents.

June 22-24: Windy City Warbirds and Classics, 3821 Karl Madsen Dr., St. Charles; 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. June 22, and June 23, and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 24. Three-day access is $5 per person and kids under 12 and veterans with an ID are free. There will be a candy drop from an RC plane for kids around noon Friday and Saturday.

June 22-25: SJC FestSt. John of the Cross Parish, 5005 S. Wolf Road, Western Springs. 5-10:30 p.m. June 22, 5 p.m.-midnight June 23, 2 p.m.-midnight June 24, noon-7 p.m. June 25. The fest features carnival rides, food, drinks and live music. Music headliners are Chicago Tribute Anthology, 7:30-10 p.m. June 22; Maggie Speaks, 8-11 p.m. June 23; The Breakfast Club, 8-11 p.m. June 24; and the Tony Ocean Show, 5:30-7:30 p.m. June 25.

June 22-25: Wauconda FestCook Park, 600 N. Main St., Wauconda; The annual celebration features a car show, craft show, 5K and 10K races, a bags tournament, a wine and cheese tasting, live music and more. $3.

June 23-25:Taste of JolietJoliet Memorial Stadium, 3000 W. Jefferson St, Joliet; noon to midnight June 23-24; noon-5 p.m. June 25; $10 in advance, $15 at the gate for all three days. Some of the headlining acts include Kansas, .38 Special and Survivor. There will be over 25 food vendors. At scheduled times, the kid zone features inflatables, face painting and a balloon artist. Unlimited carnival midway rides from 1-5 p.m. all three days for $25, or $60 for unlimited rides the entire festival open to close.

June 23-25: Strawberry Fest; 308 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. June 23, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. June 24 and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. June 25; $5 per person, free preview from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. June 23. Children younger than 12 free; call 847-634-0888 for more information; Strawberry Fest returns to Long Grove after a hiatus last year. Food items range from classic strawberry desserts to prime rib sandwiches smothered in strawberry salsa.

June 24-25: Evanston Chamber Artisan SummerfestSherman Avenue between Davis and Clark streets, Evanston; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Formerly the Fountain Square Art Festival; 100 juried artists will display their diverse array of traditional and recycled works. A Craft Beer and Wine Tasting will be held from 2-6 p.m. both days. $5 suggested donation per family at the gate. Tasting tickets are $25.

June 29-July 4:Oak Fest159th & Central Ave., Oak Forest; 6 p.m.-midnight June 29, 30, July 1; 3 p.m.-midnight July 2; 11 a.m.-midnight July 3; and 3-10 p.m. July 4. Admission is free. Special needs children ride the carnival free from 2 to 3 p.m. July 1 when accompanied by an adult. The carnival mega pass for unlimited rides all days all hours cost $60 in advance or $75 at the gate. Also, buy $20 in food and receive $10 in free drinks when purchased in advance.

June 30-July 3:FitzGerald's 36th Annual American Music Festival FitzGerald's Nightclub, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. The festival, also hosted by 93XRT and Miller Lite, features more than 50 music acts from Chicago and around the country.

June 30-July 4: Frontier Days Recreation Park, 500 E. Miner St., Arlington Heights; admission is free; 4:30-11:30 p.m. June 30, 4:30-12:30 a.m. July 1, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 a.m. July 2-3 and 12:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. July 4. Music acts Jefferson Starship, Gin Blossoms, Hoobastank, Rick Springfield, American English and more provide entertainment on two stages at the annual bash, which features a parade, carnival and craft marketplace.

June 30-July 4: Hometown Fest Community Park, 262 E. Palatine Road, Palatine. 1 p.m.-midnight June 30, 11 a.m.-midnight July 1, noon-10 p.m. July 2, noon-midnight July 3 and noon-5 p.m. July 4. The Fourth of July celebration features food vendors, a parade, a carnival, a business expo, fireworks, a bags tournament and kids activities.

June 30-July 4:Cedar Lake Summer Fest;Cedar Lake Town Complex, 7408 Constitution Ave., Cedar Lake, Ind.; Hours: 2-11:30 p.m. June 30; noon-11:30 p.m. July 1; 7 a.m.-11:30 p.m. July 2; 5 -11:30 p.m. July 3; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. July 4. Free admission, parking is $5. Cedar Lake celebrates Independence Day with five days of live entertainment, amusement rides, contests, bingo and a beer garden. The car show is at 11 a.m., and the boat parade is at 6 p.m. July 2.

July 1-2: Chicago Botanic Garden Art FestivalGarden Esplanade, 100 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; free admission, parking rates will apply; call 847-926-4300 for more information; Patrons can observe interactive art demonstrations and meet the artists while viewing the Garden's displays, such as the native prairie or the Japanese waterfall garden. Children can participate in free activities including drawing on the graffiti wall, coloring and having a go at the spinning wheel. Nonmembers pay a separate parking fee of $25-$30 per vehicle to enter the Garden.

July 1-4: Morton Grove Days American Legion Memorial Civic Center, 6140 Dempster St., Morton Grove; 4-11 p.m. July 1, 2-11 p.m. July 2, 2-11 p.m. July 3 and 2:30-11 p.m July 4. Carnival rides and games, food, a beer garden, live entertainment, children's activities, 4th of July Parade and a 4th of July Fireworks Show.

July 3-4: Naval Station Great Lakes Fourth of July Festival; Historic Ross Field, Route 137 (Sheridan Road), Great Lakes; 3-10 p.m. both days; admission is free; call 847-688-5591 for more information;one of the region's biggest Fourth of July fireworks celebrations; includes national, regional and local bands; roving performers; carnival rides and games; festival food; a kids' zone; and indoor rock wall. Fireworks will take place on both days around 9:30 p.m.

July 6-9: Lake in the Hills Rockin' Rib FestSunset Park, 5200 Miller Road, Lake in the Hills; 4:30-11 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday; $5 admission for ages 13 and up, ages 12 and under are free but must be accompanied by an adult. The fest features food, live music, a car show and a BBQ Cook-Off. Bands performing include Libido Funk Circus, Hello Weekend and 7th Heaven.

July 7-9: Antique Farm & Tractor Show Lake County Fairgrounds, Crown Point, Ind.; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 7-9; cost is $5 and kids under 15 are free with paid adult. South Lake County Agricultural Historical Society presents its 33rd annual Antique Farm and Tractor Show themed "Harvesting the Past, Planting the Future." Special events include a parade and an antique tractor pull.

July 8-9: Hungarian Gulyás Festival Norridge United Hungarian Church of Christ, 8260 W. Foster Ave., Norridge; tickets are $20 a day, $30 for two days, and $5 for children 6-12, available at the door. Featured at the festival is a large sampling of the Hungarian kitchen which includes the bottomless gloulash pot, mititei, crêpes, kürtöskalács (rolled sweet dough) and lángos (elephant ears), as well as traditional Hungarian music and contemporary tunes, folkloric dances, arts and crafts, Hungarian crafts, and a children's activity center. Join the competition in the Gulyas Cook-Off.

July 8-9: North Shore Art Market Westfield Old Orchard Mall, 4999 Old Orchard Center, Skokie; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; admission is free. Features works by more than 100 juried artists in a variety of mediums, live music and local food.

July 13-16: Best of Countryside Carnival 2017 City Park, 61st Street and Ashland Avenue, Countryside; 5-10 p.m. July 13, 4-11 p.m. July 14, noon-11 p.m. July 15, noon-10 p.m. July 16. Day pass for amusement rides is $25. Performers include: Evil Burrito, July 13; The Redmonds and Reckless, July 14; Battle of the Bands and ARRA, July 15; Scott Allen Band and Timeless, July 16.

July 13-16:Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel1101 N. 23rd Ave., Melrose Park. The 124th annual event features Italian food, friendly vendors, family games, rides for children, live entertainment all four nights, car show, dog rescue event and much more. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. with the procession through the streets of Melrose Park featuring the statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Italian sodalities and family candle. All are welcome.

July 13-16:Vernon Hills Summer CelebrationCentury Park, 1001 Lakeview Pkwy., Vernon Hills. The fest includes food, drinks, a carnival, car show, kids activities, a bags tourney, live music including Toad the Wet Sprocket and The Verve Pipe on July 15, Mike & Joe and Hello Weekend.

July 15-16: Art in the Park; Village Green Park, 1810 Walters Ave., Northbrook; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; free admission; This festival features juried artists and takes place underneath the branching oak trees in a Northbrook park. Visitors can walk a paved pathway to meet the artists, chat with them and view their work in a variety of media. Visitors can listen to live music, buy food and participate in a variety of free activities.

July 15-16:World Arts and Music FestivalDawes Park, Sheridan Road at Church Street, Evanston; noon-7 p.m. July 15-16; free admission. Formerly the Evanston Ethnic Arts Festival, a two-day celebration of diversity with art displays, crafts activities, cuisine and live music.

July 16:Caribbean Block PartyOak Park Avenue from 171st to Hickory streets, Tinley Park; Noon to 7 p.m. Free admission; free entertainment, including live bands, inflatables, bean bag tournaments, a classic car show and a carnival. Though outdoors, the block party is not pet-friendly.

July 20-Aug. 6: The Pop-Up: A Valparaiso Art ExperienceDowntown Valparaiso, Ind.; free admission; Valparaiso Events and The Enclave Project sponsor this 18-day event that features visual and performing arts. Each venue is a voting station allowing viewers to help select the winner of the Popular Vote Award.

July 21-23:Lions Club Alpine FestLion Fred Blau Park, 81 E. Main St., Lake Zurich. The fest features carnival rides, games, food, family events and entertainment. The final day of the festival includes the Alpine Fest Parade down Main Street.

Aug. 2-6: Northbrook Days Festival Village Green Park, Meadow and Shermer Roads, Northbrook. The festival features carnival rides, live music and a Taste of Northbrook. Hours and featured musical acts will be announced.

Aug. 5-6: Art at the Glen Town CenterGlen Town Center, 2030 Tower Drive., Glenview; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; free admission. Showcases original works by 185 juried artists. There will also be live music and children's activities.

Aug. 18-19: Little Bear RibfestCentury Park, 1001 Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills; admission $5; free for children age 5 and under. Free parking and shuttle service is available at the Westfield Hawthorn Shopping Center, 122 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills. Do not use the private parking lots adjacent to the festival grounds. No coolers or outside food or beverages are allowed in the park.

Aug. 19: Yestival Festival Park in Elgin; reserved-seat tickets are $80-$95, general admission to the lawn area is $40. An incarnation of recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Yes, along with Todd Rundgren and Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy, a tribute to Palmer's old band Emerson, Lake and Palmer.

Aug. 25-26: Zoo Brew 2017Brookfield Zoo, 8400 W. 31st Street, Brookfield; 4-9 p.m. (VIP) and 5-9 p.m. (general admission). Tickets cost $55 for general admission, which includes free parking, all-day admission to the zoo, admission to the zoo brew tent and beer 3 oz. samples of more than 80 beers. VIP tickets cost $85 and include everything with general admission as well as special access, food and a visit with animal ambassadors.

Aug. 26-27: Port Clinton Art Festival; 600 Central Ave., Highland Park; 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; free admission; call 847-926-4300 for more information; brings more than 260 juried artists worldwide to showcase their work in an outdoor celebration. The festival hosts a youth division, giving artists younger than 18 the chance to exhibit. A scavenger hunt and crafts are planned for the youngest art lovers. Patrons can do yoga in the mornings, watch demonstrations of art techniques during the day and feast on food from some of the city's new and longtime restaurants in the afternoon. In the evening, A Taste of Highland Park opens and runs in conjunction with the festival.

Sept. 1-4: Last Fling 440 W. Aurora Ave., Naperville; The Naperville Jaycees' Last Fling is a family-friendly community festival which takes place over Labor Day Weekend in and around Downtown Naperville and, for many, is a fun way to say farewell to summer! The Last Fling offers a wide variety of attractions for all ages to enjoy including: national and local musicians on two stages, Family Fun Land, a carnival, unique special events, a business expo and a few running events. Musical acts include Bret Michaels and Bare Naked Ladies.

Sept. 3-4: Art Fair on the SquareMarket Square in downtown Lake Forest; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days; free admission. The signature Labor Day weekend event for the Deer Path Art League is a juried fine art show that features 180 exhibitors.

Sept. 10: British Car Festival Harper College, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine; 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; free admission. Check out cars and motorcycles from the United Kingdom as well as British and American food for sale.

Sept. 10: Evanston Streets Alive! Main Street between Chicago and Florence avenues, Evanston; 1-5 p.m. This event is billed as "a Pro-Walk, Pro-Bike, Pro-Place initiative of Citizen's Greener Evanston, which promotes green transportation. Streets will be closed to all motor vehicles. Entertainment will include games, food trucks and music.

Sept. 15-16: OaktoberfestMarion Street and North Boulevard, south of Lake Street, downtown Oak Park; 4-10 p.m. Sept. 15 and noon to 10 p.m. Sep. 16. There will be live music, foods from local restaurants, craft beers, a kids' root beer garden and children's activities.